The academic study of religion provides the student with the methodological orientation
necessary to comprehend the central beliefs, ethical practices, ritual systems, and
social institutions of diverse religious traditions in their historic, contemporary
and global contexts. Study in this field is multicultural and comparative, examining
the patterns of life and moral worlds of societies past and present, our own as well
as others. The student learns to probe for the structure, function and meaning of
religion through those rites of passage, sacred narratives, faith communities, and
codes of behavior that give meaning to human existence.

Major and Minor Requirements in Religion

The major in religious studies requires a minimum of 31 semester hours and leads to
a Bachelor of Arts degree. At least 16 hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above,
with at least 4 hours at the 400-level. A minor or second major is required.

The minor in religious studies requires a minimum of 24 hours. At least 12 hours must
be taken in courses numbered 300 or above.

Major

Minor

For students entering prior to fall 2014, see iCap for requirements

For students entering prior to fall 2014, see iCap for requirements

I. Explorations (3 hours)

I. Explorations (6 hours)

RELS 100: The New Testament

RELS 100: The New Testament

OR

OR

RELS 101: The Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures

RELS 101: The Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures

AND

AND

RELS 102: Introduction to Religion

RELS 102: Introduction to Religion

II. Religious Traditions (9 hours; at least one course

II. Religious Traditions (9 hours; at least one course

from each category)

from each category)

Category A:

Category A:

RELS 302: Buddhism

RELS 302: Buddhism

RELS 303: Hinduism

RELS 303: Hinduism

RELS 317: Confucianism

RELS 317: Confucianism

RELS 318: Daoism

RELS 318: Daoism

Category B:

Category B:

RELS 304: Judaism

RELS 304: Judaism

RELS 305: Christianity

RELS 305: Christianity

RELS 306: Islam

RELS 306: Islam

III. Senior Seminar (1 hour)

RELS 496: Senior Seminar

IV. Electives (15 hours; at least 9 hours must be in RELS

III. Electives (9 hours; at least 6 hours must be in RELS

courses) **

courses) **

Any RELS course or

Any RELS course or

ANTH 446: Anthropology of Religion

ANTH 446: Anthropology of Religion

ART 316: Medieval Art and Architecture

ART 316: Medieval Art and Architecture

ART 407: Islamic Art and Architecture

ART 407: Islamic Art and Architecture

ENG 396: Mythology

ENG 396: Mythology

ENG 487: Dante

ENG 487: Dante

HIST 318: Age of the Reformation

HIST 318: Age of the Reformation

HIST 407: The Crusades: West Meets East

HIST 407: The Crusades: West Meets East

PHIL 310: Science, Religion and Contemporary Life

PHIL 310: Science, Religion and Contemporary Life

PHIL 329: Concepts of God, Good and Evil

PHIL 329: Concepts of God, Good and Evil

PSY 485: Psychology of Religion

PSY 485: Psychology of Religion

RELS: Any Course

RELS: Any Course

SOCL 322: Religion in Society

SOCL 322: Religion in Society

* The major in religious studies is reference #769; the minor in religious studies
is reference #447.

** Electives may be selected from among the total offerings in RELS. Electives also may
be selected from the following pre-approved list (or other courses approved by the
Department Head) as well as from departmentally-approved language and study abroad
courses.